First West Yorkshire is honouring the armed forces community by offering free bus travel for serving troops, veterans and cadets on Sunday 12th November, as well as adding poppies to the front of its 776 vehicles across the region.

Between the hours of 10:00am and 12:00pm members of the armed forces will be able to travel on any First West Yorkshire service for free, enabling them to easily travel to local Remembrance Day events. Members of the armed forces who are in uniform, or able to show an identification card, will be able to claim free travel. The offer is also open to members of the cadet forces in uniform and veterans who display valid identification, such as the MOD issued Veteran's Badge.

Supporting Remembrance Sunday is of importance to the local bus operator as a significant number of its staff, including drivers, are ex-members of the armed forces. In fact, at the Hunslet depot alone, there are over 80 people who have completed service in the navy, army or air forces, prior to working at First West Yorkshire.

Will Pearson, Operations Director at First West Yorkshire and formed member of the armed forces, comments: “Remembrance Day is an incredibly important occasion for many people to show their support, or remember family members, friends and others who have been lost in military service. We support the Royal British Legion every year, as a significant number of our team come from a military background.

“There will be many events and services taking place locally where people, communities and organisations around the area can visit to show their respect. As a supporter of our communities, we want to make it as easy as possible for people to attend local events on this important day. We have also added poppies to the front of all of our West Yorkshire vehicles, as a mark of respect.”

Debra Westlake, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in West Yorkshire, said: “The support of First Bus for the Poppy Appeal 2017 is much-appreciated, as always, and we are particularly grateful that free bus travel will be available to members of the armed forces across our region on Remembrance Sunday.

“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded. Donations to the Poppy Appeal will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please join First Bus and wear your poppy with pride.”